FREEPORT – Community Energy Partners LLC of Freeport is hosting workshops for Maine agricultural producers and small businesses interested in federal grants and guaranteed loans to develop and install renewable energy projects or make energy efficiency improvements. The workshops will present information about two USDA funding opportunities driving the installation of new projects across the country, especially by Midwestern farmers.

The first, the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Improvements Guarantee Program (also known as the Section 9006 Grants Program) provides funding to businesses and agricultural producers for the purchase of commercially available energy installations and equipment, and some pre-development costs. Up to 50 percent of a project’s total costs may be funded with grants of up to $500,000, combined with guaranteed loans up to $10 million.

The second program, the Value-Added Producer Grant Program, provides financial assistance to agricultural producers for value-added business ventures, including renewable energy projects. Up to $100,000 per project is available for planning and pre-development activities (such as development of feasibility studies, business plans, or marketing plans), and up to $300,000 is available for working capital (such as to help cover costs that allow a project to compete better, including labor, inventory, advertising, etc.).

The workshops will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on: Friday, Nov. 3, Augusta, at the Holiday Inn/Ground Round; Friday, Dec. 1, Farmington, at Franklin Memorial Hospital; Tuesday, Dec. 12, Bangor, at Eastern Maine Development Corporation. Check-in will be from 8:30-9 a.m. Coffee and breakfast will be provided.

To register, call 221-5639 or visit www.communityenergypartners.com. For more information, e-mail Sue Jones at [email protected], or call 221-5639 or 865-0042. Registration is $60 in advance, or $80 at the door.

Early reservation is encouraged.